One of our metal recycling clients in the Birmingham metro area gave us this excellent example of how management uses the remote viewing capabilities of their IP video security cameras to maximize efficiency and facilitate easier customer interactions.
The cameras make it possible for an almost frictionless customer interaction and saves the owners time, ultimately boosting the bottom line.
View Scrap Metal Loads Remotely Before Quoting Price
Prospective customers frequently drive onto the company yard with a load of scrap metal for sale. Sometimes, the metal type, quality and volume makes for a straightforward transaction.
Other times, however, the purchasing manager may want to consult with one of the company’s owners before quoting a price or making an offer to buy all or part of a load.
In these situations, the on-site purchasing manager can message the owner or senior management with a request for quote guidance. The owner can access the security camera feed remotely via mobile device or computer to view the scrap metal load and advise the on-site purchasing manager with acceptable terms.
Our client has a security camera with PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) capabilities so it’s possible for the owner to zoom in on the load, using high-resolution optical zoom, to get a better feel for whether the scrap metal is of an appropriate quality and/or volume and what price would be suitable for the quote.
Once the senior manager has made a decision on the quote, he/she can text or email the purchasing clerk with detailed instructions on the terms to offer the seller.
One big advantage of the remote viewing option is that is invisible on the seller’s side, who usually wouldn’t know it’s even happening, unless the initial contact mentions what’s happening. This makes the negotiation more frictionless, since there’s less need to obviously “discuss” the possible terms, which can imply to the seller there’s more room for negotiation.
Another advantage is that the owner or senior managers don’t have to be on-site, or make a trip from their office to the scrap yard to review a load. With the remote-viewing option, business owners can be actively engaged in many business ventures without having to be on-site all the time.
Remote Viewing with PTZ Cameras Can Make Any Business Operation More Efficient
Although the example we just described is specific to metals recycling, it is applicable for any type of recycling facility or, really, any type of business operation where the owner or senior manager needs to consult with location-specific managers or senior line workers.
Think about the operations side of a manufacturing or tech business….
Assume you have a small manufacturing facility or biotech lab where line personnel have a fairly routine series of tasks to perform. Even in the most efficient operations, problems come up.
A quality video security camera with optical zoom and PTZ capabilities can allow engineers or senior managers can remote in and, at least initially, help troubleshoot the problem without the need physically walk from the office to the shop or lab floor.
Think about a mining operation….
Perhaps there’s a problem with a piece of equipment. The chief engineer could remote in and advise on-site engineers and safety officers to determine the best initial course of action, possibly eliminating the need to make a time-consuming trip to the specific location at the mine. If an on-site visit is required, the remote viewing can help the relevant team members prepare for the on-site trip and, potentially, avoid longer downtimes.
About Vulcan Security Systems in Birmingham, Alabama
At Vulcan Security Systems, we like to focus on the value-added relationship with our clients and customers. In other words, we’re more than just a video security systems supplier.
As a proactive partner, we like to emphasize the non-obvious uses of video security systems and how investments in commercial quality video security camera technology can boost the bottom-line in ways far beyond simply reducing incidents of theft, vandalism or acts of violence. One of our favorite case studies is how a commercial warehouse client use the video security camera footage to research a missing shipment that had never arrived at its destination.
Our Alabama clients range from small and medium-sized manufacturing facilities to industrial mining sites, retail and food service establishments, to shopping centers and warehouse and distribution centers.
